'Farm strength' and gym strength - Marler gives insight into Georgian session

England prop Joe Marler has paid the Georgians the ultimate compliment, branding the forwards ‘tough blokes’ after their joint training session this week in London.

Video from the training session showed the Georgians were more than able to hold their own against Eddie’s England team.

“We had a good hit out against them; it was a good session, tough. They are tough blokes,” the 27-year-old loosehead told EnglandRugby.com.

“I think they had already scrummed and mauled in the morning (before the arranged session), so they were pretty warmed up. But some good questions were asked, so we will look at the tape and go back and work on things.”

“You come across quite a few of them when you play the French teams – a lot of Georgian props ply their trade out there – and they are naturally strong,” the Harlequin told EnglandRugby.com.

“I know one of their strength and conditioning guys who used to be an intern at Quins, so I was chatting to him and I asked if they were just gym strong, or whether they had that old man farm strength, and he said both. It definitely felt like that out there with them.”

Marler who is returning from a ban is very aware that his discipline need to improve if he is to break back into Eddie Jone’s England team.

“He was very stern with his warning and made it very clear to me where I stand, and what I need to do to keep my place in the side,” said Marler.